Latest from seabirds

The Seabird Protection Network at Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary addresses human disturbance to breeding seabird colonies along the central California coast. These efforts are accomplished through an organized outreach and education program combined with law enforcement and other seabird management actions. Monitoring of California seabird breeding colonies helps guide outreach, education, and management efforts of the Network. Photo by Jason Thompson (www.mojoscoast.com)

They're the little guys. Small, silver, nondescript fish that are so hard to tell apart that many people simply call them "baitfish." But though they don't command the attention of a breaching humpback whale or trophy tuna, these humble creatures--from anchovies to squid--play a starring role in local marine ecosystems. New legislation aims to force fisheries managers to consider that role when writing plans for the state's commercial fishing fleet.

Now extended through June 10, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking comment on a plan to use rodenticides to eradicate non-native house mice from the South Farallon Islands. Officials say the mice threaten nesting seabirds, but critics charge that the effort could actually endanger birds on the island.